Lake Bryanthus mystery

January 15, 2025

Lake Bryanthus mystery

For years, we have wondered about this photograph at the local museum and at a local historic home.

The tag on it led us to believe that it is Mt. Shinn, which was named after Charles Howard Shinn after his death. HOWEVER, it is not!

After some Google Earth sleuthing in the area of Mt. Shinn by map-man Stuart, he found that it is not Shinn Lake AT ALL!

But where was it?

A reverse Google image brought up a similar photo with a caption "Bryanthus Lake near Kings River Canon, Cal"

So we can be assured that it is actually a photograph of Lake Bryanthus, not Mt. Shinn. The little mountain bump is perhaps un-named, but it is not Mt. Shinn. Lake Bryanthus has been renamed Bullfrog Lake. Photos taken in the area on Google maps show a pretty similar viewpoint that looks much the same today.

From Google maps 01/19/2025. This may not be a permanent link.
To find more photos of Bullfrog Lake, go to Google Maps
and search for Bullfrog Lake. Then click on "Photo and Videos"

More fun stuff about the lake

Sierra Club

Sierra Club trip - San Francisco Call, 24 August 1902

In 1902 there was a Sierra Club visit to the area. note that the "Alpine Lake" (bottom left) is Lake Bryanthus! Great article that shows what activities there were, including Vaudeville.

Were there any local people on this trip?

Charles Howard Shinn was a charter member of the Sierra Club. His younger brother, Joseph, and Joe's wife, Florence, were active members in the Sierra Club. There are many photos of their trips to the Sierra. Perhaps we will find records of a trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks.

This trip was before Joe and Florence were married in 1905. We do know they went on trips before and after marriage. Charles was in transition between Inspector of the UC Experiment Stations and Forest Ranger of the Sierra National Forest. William Patterson was (according to Joe T. a member of the Sierra Club).

Southern Pacific Travel Guide

Kings and Kern Canyons and the giant forest of California 1906 Southern Pacific booklet.

on page 24-25

the photographers' shadows on bottom left! Hi!

Topo maps of the era

The 1907 Mt. Whitney topo map has it listed as Bull Frog Lake, a little easier to remember than Bryanthus. The photo and others like it can be found via reverse google search. The booklet in the Library of Congress - is an interesting railroad travel guide.

CA_Mt Whitney_299505_1907_125000.jpg
found using Topoview

Some of the other peaks around...Is Mt. Rixford named after USDA Rixford? There is a University Peak nearby. Which University? Check this LOC link when it works again.